Upon arrival at Zvartnots International Airport you are greeted by your Tour Guide and begin your unique journey through the wonderful lands of Armenia & Georgia.

Transfer to the hotel; Check-in; Rest Time.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 2

Breakfast served

Yerevan City Tour – Republic Square, Yerevan, the rose-colored capital, so called because most buildings use a pink shade of “tuf” stone, quarried in Armenia. Let’s start our acquaintance with the city of Yerevan by stepping through its ancient history at the Erebouni museum and Fortress, founded in 782 BC. Tsitsernakaberd memorial and museum to the 1915 Genocide. Sports and Concert Complex, Kievian Bridge, Bagramyan Avenue, Presidential Palace, Academy of Sciences, National Parliament, Opera Theater.

Lunch

The next stop is the Cascade, which is a huge white stairwell built on a Yerevan hillside in the 1970s, with water fountains running down the sides, all reminiscent of a natural river or stream cascading. It connects the central district to Haghtanak Park –“Victory” Park to the center of the city. The structure has escalators so that it is unnecessary to manually ascend the stairs all the way to the top.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 3

Breakfast served

We embark on our journey to the lands of ancient treasures in Christian history, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (UNESCO), the religious capital of Armenia, and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch – the Catholics of all Armenians. The story holds that the site upon which the main Cathedral stands today is the place where Noah made the fire after the flood.

OPTIONAL: Participation in DIVINE LITURGY

Lunch in Etchmiadzin

Then, admire the Monasteries of Sts. Hripsime and Gayane (7th c) dedicated to the faithful virgins, 3rd century followers of Christ who were martyred. Their relics are housed in these churches. On the way back to Yerevan, visit the magnificent ruins of Zvartnots (celestial angels) Cathedral(UNESCO) (7th c.). See the uniqueness of Armenian Church architecture, at the site where once stood an impressive three-tiered circular structure with a spectacular central dome.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 4

Breakfast served

Khor Virap Monastery (St. Gregory the Illuminator’s underground pit); amazing view of Biblical Mt. Ararat: “The blessed Mountain for Armenians”. On the way to Noravank, you will enjoy a guided tour as well as taste some wine at the famous “Areni Winery”. In Armenian, “Wine is Bottled Poetry”.
After this, take the path through the narrow gorge which reveals the wonder of Noravank Monastery, nestled inside the deep red landscape of these tuf stone mountains.Lunch in Noravank

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 5

Breakfast served

This morning you will travel to Garni, the location of the rare pre-Christian pagan temple maintained in Armenia. Later on, we will reach Geghard; cave monastery (UNESCO), architectural complex (12-13th centuries), carved out of one monolithic rock. Due to the extraordinary acoustics, when the local monk sings in this chamber it is hard to believe a large choir isn’t singing… be aware it is only one man… A visit to Geghard is truly a spiritual experience.

Lunch in Geghard

You will enjoy a tour of one of the most enigmatic cities, visiting the remarkable Matenadaran Library and Research Institute of Armenia, one of the richest depositories of manuscripts and books in the world which houses about 17,000 rare manuscripts. The history of the Matenadaran dates back to the creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405. This center of manuscripts is centuries old and continues until today with modern upgrades.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 6

Breakfast served

Today we journey across Armenia’s ever changing landscape, we will travel to the lush environs of Dilijan: “A piece of Switzerland in Armenia”. Old Town Dilijan is complete with craftsmen’s workshops, small shops with traditional Armenian products and crafts, and a museum showing typical 19th century living with its all local customs and handmade wood furnishings. We will also have the chance to admire Haghartsin Monastery back from the 10-13th centuries.

Lunch in Sevan

Lake Sevan: “The emerald of Armenia”, and the biggest lake in present-day Armenia. Set 1900m above sea level, Lake Sevan is situated high in the mountains and is famed for its glorious and ever changing hues. Upon arrival, we will stop by the lakeside churches at the top of the peninsula, and have a chance to admire a spectacularly picturesque scene overlooking the lake and distant mountains.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 7

Breakfast served and Check out

Ashtarak – where you can find numerous churches as well as various ancient buildings at every step; Artashavan – New Complex of Armenian Letters: “It is difficult to express the deep feeling Armenians have for their language, which many regard as the lifeblood of their culture”;Saghmosavank Monastery perch on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh river.

Lunch

Visit Lori Region; Vanadzor City – the historical and modern center of the province of Lori; Alaverdy a town in a canyon between Yerevan and Georgian border – is famous for its copper mines. We proceed to one more outstanding masterpiece of Armenian architecture Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries (World UNESCO Heritage) in which artistic merits transcended the limits of the national culture.

OVERNIGHT IN ALAVERDY

Day 8

Breakfast served and Check out

Arrival to Bagratashen/Sadakhlo border.

Tbilisi – the capital of Georgia stands on the banks of the river Mtkvari, in a valley surrounded by hills!!!

Tour over the old city of Tbilisi, which stretches along the Mtkvari river within the ancient walls and citadels: Fortress Narikala (4th century), churchMetechi (13th century) and the Statue toVakhtang Gorgasali – the powerful king of the 5th century who founded the capital of Georgia in the city of Tbilisi, basilica Anchiskhati (6th century); sulfur bath-houses renowned for centuries for their curative quality.

Lunch in Tbilsi

OVERNIGHT IN TBILISI

Day 9

Breakfast served

Drive to Uplistsikhe – this is a large complex of natural caves which has been inhabited from pre-Christian times and it served as an important trade center on the historic Silk Road until the 12th century. Drive to Gori, a beautiful city and also the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. Visit the house where Joseph Stalin was born.

Mtskheta – the ancient capital of Georgia is situated 20km from Tbilisi. Scientists date the town back to the 2nd millennium B.C. Mtskheta was the capital of Georgian Kingdom of Iberia during 500 BC – 500 AD. Here Georgians accepted Christianity in the beginning of the 4th century. Lunch

Visit Jvari (Holy Cross) Monastery (6th c.). Visible for miles and it marks the importance of this particular religious site for all Georgians. It overlooks the confluence of two major rivers, the Argavi and the Mktvari.

Svetitskhoveli (“The Column of Life”) Cathedral (11th c.) was built on the site of the former Zoastrian temple, to mark Georgian conversion to Christianity in 337 AD. Drive to Tbilisi.

OVERNIGHT IN TBILISI

Day 10

Breakfast served

After breakfast drive to North!

The Ananuri fortress stands beside the famous Georgian Military Highway overlooking a large lake. Its high, turreted stone walls protect two churches, a watch tower, a spring and reservoir.

Drive through the highest point of Georgian Military Highway-Cross Pass at 2379 m. above sea level. En-route make a stop at the mineral water spring flowing down from a hilltop. Arrive Kazbegi – a small town with the views of Mt. Kazbek (or Mkinvari) 5033 m. – the seventh highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains. Mt. Kazbek is associated with myth of Prometheus, according to the legend he was chained on the mountain in punishment for having stolen fire from the gods and having given it to mortals.

Lunch

Change transport to 4×4 van and visit Gergety Holy Trinity Church in Kazbegi.

Drive back to Tbilisi

OVERNIGHT IN TBILISI

Day 11

Breakfast served

After breakfast we drive to a small town of Sighnaghi (16th c) – one of the most beautiful towns of Georgia. Its attractiveness is largely defined both by the age-old architectural sites and its natural characteristics: the Town is located on a hilltop and looks over the boundless area of the Alazani Valley and the snow-covered Caucasian mountains. We wonder along the cute streets of the town. Gverabi – ancient cave winery, where you will have a chance to taste, purchase and enjoy fine Georgian wine. Lunch

The Monastery of St. Ninoat Bodbe originally was built in the 9th century. The monastery now functions as a nunnery and is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia, due to its association with St. Nino, the 4th century female evangelist of Georgians, whose relics are shrines there.

OVERNIGHT IN TBILISI

Day 12

Breakfast served

CITY TOUR!

Sionicathedral, the main cathedral of Georgia, where services are held by the archbishop of Georgia each Sunday. Sameba cathedral – tallest church in the Caucasus.

Statue toMother of Georgia (“Kartlis Deda”) – the symbol of powerful and friendly Georgian nation; walk on the Rustaveli Avenue – the main street of Tbilisi with its entertainment centers, museums and the governmental house.

Free time to discover the city by yourself!

OVERNIGHT IN TBILISI

Day 13

Check out

TRANSFER to the Airport of Tbilisi

HAVE A NICE & SAFE TRIP!!!

*Itinerary is subject to change at any time

SERVICES:

Full transportation and transfers in Armenia and Georgia as specified in the itinerary